Seal.



O. H. BRAATEN.

SEAL.

APPLICATION FILED 1AN.3, I916.

Patented Mar. 7, 1916.

, am-uento'c O. H Fa RHRTEN H lli? 936113 E. BRAATEN, OF HALL-IDAY, NORTH DAKOTA.

SEAL.

Specification of Letters Patent;

Patented Mar. '1, 1916.

Application filed January 3, 1916. Serial No. 69.979.

':an object of the invention to provide a delvice of this general character having novel and improved means whereby the opposite extremities are efiectively locked together in substantially an automatic manner.

Theinvention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved seal whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device is rendered. simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use,

all as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of the invention Wlll be carefully defined in the appended claims.

In order that my invention may be the better understood," I will now proceed to describe the same with referencetothe accompanying drawing wherein Figure 1 is a view in perspective of aseal constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention with the extremities in interlocked connection. Fig. 2 is a view in plan of a blank from which my improved seal is produced. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the connected portions of the seal as illustrated in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a sectional. view taken substantially on the line H of Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 1s a sectional view taken substantially on the line 5.5.4;f Fig. 3.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, 1 denotes an elongated strip of metal capable of flexure and having its opposlte longitudinal marginal portions adjacent one end notched or cut out as at 2, to afi'ord shoulders 3 for a purpose to be hereinafter more particularly referred to, and the longit-udinal marginal portions of the strip in advance of the shoulders 3 are inclined inwardly as at at, for a purpose which -1s believed to he self-evident. I also find it of- 2 1d. 'ant age to provide the strip 1 at a point nwardly of the shoulders 3, but in close proximity thereto, with the opening 5 which in addition to affording a locking means as will hereinafter be explained, permits the strips before being applied in operative position to be strung upon a wire or other member for convenience in carrying. The opposite end portion of the strip 1 is enlarged transversely as at 6, and terminates in the gradually reduced extension or tongue 7 which is adapted to be returned beneath the widened pon t on. 6 and to coact with the opening 5 to afford a means whereby the extremities of the strip may be interlocked as is thought to be clearly shown in the accompanying drawings. At a point inwardly of the widcued portion 6 the strip 1 is also provided with the laterally extended wings 8, each of which being bent back upon itself to afford a double thickness, and said wings are. bent substantially perpendicular relative to the strip 1 to afford side walls over which the widened portion 6 is disposed in order "to afford a pocket or comparti'nent P having its inner face bent, and it is to be noted that the tongue 7 hereinbefore referred to is disposed outwardly relative to the strip. The widened portion 6 is adapted to be secured to the side walls in any desired. manner. but preferably by solder.

The inner plies of the side walls are of a length less'than the length of the outer plies and have their inner end portions free in order toafi'ord the inwardly disposed spring tongues 9 which automatically engage the shoulders 3 when the opposite extremity of the strip is forced within the pocket through the open end thereof. It will also be noted that the tongue 7 will automatically engage within the opening 5 whereby three distinct locking actions are afforded for maintaining theTxtremities of the seal in connected relation.

From the foregoing description, it is in accordance with .my invention is of an extremely simple andcomparatively inexpensive nature and is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled, and it will also be obvious that my 1 invention issusceptible of some change and modification without material departure from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to beunderstood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my inthe portion of the strip in advance of the wings being returned and overlying the side walls and secured thereto, the inner pliesof the side walls having their inner extremities free and-disposed inwardly to produce look: ing springs engageable with the shoulders at the opposite end of the strip.

2. A. seal of the character described'comprising an elongated metallic strip having notches produced in its marginal portions adjacent an end thereof to aiford shoulders, the opposite end portion of the strip being provided with laterally directed wings doubled upon themselves to afford side walls, the portion of the strip, in advance of the wings being returned and overlying the side walls and secured thereto, the inner plies of the side walls having their inner extremities free and disposed inwardly to produce looking springs engageable with the shoulders at the opposite end of the returned portion of the strip being provided with a forwardly disposed tongue, 9

the opposite extremity of the strip being provided with an opening into which the tongue is adapted to be directed.

3. A seal of the character described comprising an elongated metallic strip having notches produced in its marginal portions adjacent an end thereof to afford shoulders, the opposite-end portion of the strip being provided with. an elongated pocket substantially rectangular incross section and hav ing its inner end open, the side walls of .the pocket being provided with inwardly disposed springs directed away from the inner end of the pocket, the top wall of the pocket being provided at the open end of the pocket with an inwardly disposed tongue, the strip adjacent the notches and inwardly thereof being provided with an opening into which the tongue is adapted to be directed.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

OSCAR H. BRAATEN.

Witnesses 2 H, A. NORMAN, OLE H. BRAATEN.

of the'strip, the free end 

